What's happening now: city news and event highlights

Event highlights

The 47th Istanbul Music Festival, Darkness of Being, Lightness of Being, focuses on the impact of dualities such as good and bad, happiness and sadness, birth and death on music. Until 30 June, the festival will host 22 concerts in 15 venues, presenting 150 pieces from a diverse repertoire that spans the masters of Baroque music Bach, Vivaldi and Handel; one the most striking composers of the 20th century Shostakovich; klezmer induced jazz, and Ottoman classical music. It also includes various events such as pre-concert talks, workshops, and free weekend concerts.

Where to watch movies under the starry summer night? UNIQ Istanbul Open Air Cinema will screen a selection of recent productions of world renowned directors, such as The Favorite by Yorgos Lanthimos, Burning by Lee Chang-dong, High Life by Claire Denis, and many more. Visit www.uniqistanbul.com to see the full summer program.

Another option is Kundura Cinema in Beykoz. Its open air screening A Midsummer’s Night Cinema will take place on July 11-14, with a special selection of movies with jazz soundtracks. The event will be followed by DJ sets.

Pi Artworks presents Gülay Semercioğlu’ s solo exhibition, Desire to Survive, from May 28 – June 29. The artist’s works have been acquired by renowned institution such as İstanbul Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York.

Collaborating with Ara Güler Museum, Istanbul Modern will host Two Archives, One Selection: Tracing Ara Güler’s footsteps in Istanbul from May 29 – November 17.

International exhibition Shared Sacred Sites is on display at Depo Istanbul until July 14. Based on years on research, the project examines various locations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the Balkans where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have coexisted.

Pera Museum holds exhibition Out of Ink: Interpretations from Chinese Contemporary Art until July 28. Participating artist includes Xu Bing, Chen Haiyan, Jian-Jun Zhang, Xing Danwen, Luo Yongjin, and many more. A selection of Chinese movies is also screening at the museum.

For more events, check out some of Istanbul’s main arts and cultural venues:

Exhibitions: Istanbul Modern, Pera Museum, SALT, Akbank Sanat, Yapı Kredi Cultural and Art Center
Film screenings: Thursday Cinema at SALT Beyoğlu, Pera Film, Kundura Cinema
Concerts and live performances: Babylon, Salon İKSV, Zorlu PSM

Culture and entertainments

Also known as Theodosius Cistern named after the Emperor Theodosius II, Şerefiye Cistern recently opened to visitors after a restoration. Entrance to the 1,600-year-old cistern can be accessed on Piyer Loti Caddesi. The structure includes a small area for exhibitions and concerts. Open between 9am and 6:30pm. Free entrance. Piyer Loti Caddesi No.25, Fatih

The former office of Agos Newspaper will open to visitors as 23.5 Hrant Dink Site of Memory on June 17 in Osmanbey. Paying homage to the late editor-in-chief of Agos, the site focuses on Armenian history, human rights, and equality.

Located at an Ottoman palace complex at the Bosphorus, Feriye opened as an arts and entertainment center in Ortaköy. The site includes a waterfront restaurant, a cafe, a gallery, a cinema, and a kitchen for workshops. Find all the event updates through @feriyeistanbul on Instagram.

Zuhal Muzik opened its grand concept store in Akasya shopping mall in Acıbadem. Follow @zuhalmuzik to stay up-to-date with the upcoming musical workshops.

Food and drinks

Sanayi 313 offers an exclusive menu every Thursday between 7:30pm–11pm, featuring both local and world cuisine.

The spring menu of Firuze focuses on the use of Aegean herbs in the spring season. Enjoy mezze with a modern twist and the sunset view from Nejat Eczacıbaşı building.

ISOKYO, the Pan Asian cuisine restaurant at Raffles Istanbul, presents the Isokyo Unlimited menu every Saturday between 1–5pm, bringing together 27 special dishes and tea from the Far East accompanied by live DJ performance.

Defined as “Sofar for food”, Largo aims to create unrushed, dignified, yet affordable dining experiences. The series of events at different venues tell exclusive stories on the art of food and the connection between the chef, the cuisine, and the guests. Follow @eatlargo for updates.